Orrick not beginning of officer’s problems

Suspended Orrick Police Chief Troy Sims will be in court next week to defend himself against a restraining order filed by Orrick Mayor Marilyn Butler.
Butler filed the complaint last Wednesday according to court records. Sims was served the papers last Thursday during a closed session meeting of the Orrick Board of Aldermen. Sims will appear in Ray County Circuit Court next Wednesday to give his side of the story. Butler would not comment on the issue last week.
The Orrick Board of Aldermen met during a special meeting Saturday, May 30, when it was decided to place Sims on administrative leave. No comment was made as to why Sims was put on suspension. The only comment Butler had was that there is an ongoing investigation and no timetable was given for a conclusion.
No replacement has been named for the interim. Butler said Police Officer George O’Dell had accepted additional hours and responsibilities.
At a meeting last month, some citizens expressed a concern about Sims and called for an investigation into his record. Many of the residents who complained said they were experiencing harassing behavior directed at them from Sims.
Last week is not the first time Sims has had a restraining order filed against him. In 2005 while working for the city of Hardin, Sims was served with a restraining order but charges were dismissed.
In addition, last month the Rural Alcohol Drug Enforcement (RADE) task force dismissed Sims from their board. No comment has been given as to why Sims was excused. Sims told The Daily News last Thursday that he did not understand why either situation was happening and said he was told that he was voted off the board because of language he used at a Hardin City Council meeting.
Hardin Mayor Bob McCorkendale said he could not remember the exact speech Sims gave to the council but said he did remember Sims saying something about bringing officers to town for drug enforcement. McCorkendale said Hardin Police told him after the meeting that Sims could not do many of the things he claimed legally.
McCorkendale said the city had issues with Sims as well. While working for the city as a police officer he said the city found out that Sims did not have the proper credentials to be a police officer. He said Sims later went to school and got the necessary hours of training but then left for another job.
McCorkendale said he was aware of some harassment complaints about Sims.